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We had an amazing dinner at the restaurant and... - Review of Villa Armena Relais

After being a little concerned about driving up the long, gravel, hilly road, we arrived at Villa Armena to find an abolute gem in paradise! Eduardo, Ellena and Laura treated us as if we were royalty and made every aspect of our stay there exceptional. The space and design were attended to in every detail. Our room was gorgeous; the view spectacular and the location for getting around that region in Tuscany was perfect. We had an amazing dinner at the restaurant and would highly recommend it whether you stay there or not when in the area. Eduardo was so helpful in suggesting a daily itinerary for us. All of his recommendations turned out to be great. Can't say enough about this wonderful, "new but with an old-world soul" villa (only 10 rooms!)

Robyn and Alan

Room Tip: Go on the website and view the photos of each room---they are all different and beautiful. You can...

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Stayed October 2012, traveled as a couple

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Ask Robyn P about Villa Armena Relais

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

It is hard to find words for the exceptional experience during our short stay of unfortunately only two nights at the Villa Armena. As to first impressions, the hotel's decor is simply outstanding. The hotel rooms and the rest of the villa are sensationally well-designed with unparalleled attention to detail. Overall, The modern interior design succeeds to blend perfectly with the traditional villa style and its surroundings. The service easily keeps up with the standard of any five star hotel. The food was great and the service at all times superb. Even more impressive, however, is the hotel owners' and their staff's seemingly effortless ability to make you feel that the hotel is your home. In short, Villa Armena is the best hotel I have ever stayed and I wish Elena and Edoardo the well deserved future success of their little jewel of Tuscany.

Stayed September 2012, traveled as a couple

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Ask Raphael C about Villa Armena Relais

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We were originally planning to stay three nights at Villa Armena the last week in August, but within 20 minutes of our arrival, we were trying to rearrange the rest of our Italy trip to stay another night. My husband and I came to Villa Armena from Rome to meet up with another couple to enjoy the wine and a few days touring Tuscany. What first impressed us was the finishes and design of the hotel and rooms- just beautiful! What won our hearts over forever was the friendliness, attention to detail and service that Eduardo, Elena and Laura provided over the course of our stay. They helped arrange a driver for a wine tour, provided sight seeing advice (loved the visit to the hot spring), offered excellent wine advice and pairing during our 4 dinners (yes, we ate there every night!), arranged a cooking demonstration with the chef to learn to make Pici and were patient and generous in there time conversing with us about the area and our language questions. La Florintina is not to be missed at dinner. The breakfast was excellent and more than you'd expect from a continental set-up. Our rooms were kept spotless and refreshed throughout the day. If it wasn't for the 18 hour trip from Los Angeles, we'd return within a few months time to soak up some more of the Villa's magic.

Stayed August 2012, traveled as a couple

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Ask ephoto about Villa Armena Relais

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After several stimulating, busy days in Rome, we arrived in Tuscany at the peaceful Villa Armena. As we drove up we were greeted by Eduardo, Elena, and the incredible Franco (the dog!). This family run operation sought to meet our every need. The property is beautifully maintained and the family provides such warmth. While in Buonconvento, we had the unfortunate experience of a flat tire and Eduardo made numerous phone calls to assist us. He even had one of his employees change the tire for us! If travelling to Tuscany, don't look further.....simply stay here; you won't want to leave!

Stayed September 2012, traveled as a couple

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Ask mstephenson176 about Villa Armena Relais

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Thank you to Eduoardo, Elena and Laura for making our stay in Tuscany so enjoyable. We arranged our travel through a travel agent and had no idea what to expect when we asked for a villa experience during our stay in Tuscany. We had bold ideas that we would be able to find this remote location without any directions but immediately got lost. But an easy call to Villa Armena and very simple directions from Eduoardo and in no time we were rolling up the long dirt driveway. We and our luggage were ushered out of our car and our car whisked away to the nearby carpark while we were offered a tour of the hotel. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Eduoardo and Elena's journey to opening the Villa. We enjoy hearing others' tales of reinventing their lives. The grounds were immaculate and the hotel pristine. Clearly much attention went into every detail from decor to lighting to bathroom fixtures. After the tour, Eduoardo introduced us to his mother Laura, the resident sommelier who took us on a tour of the collection of Italian wines in the cellar. We learned more from her than we have from any wine expert! We enjoyed two outstanding dinners at the hotel. Impressively creative cuisine given the hotel and chefs' ages! We were especially grateful for the romantic dinner they offered us for my husband's 40th birthday, including the complimentary glass of moscato to celebrate. Eduoardo offered to set up tours for us while we were in the area. We took him up on the private winery tour which encompassed an entire day of experiencing a small family run vineyard, lunch, and a tour of a 14th century wine cellar. He also offered biking tours and trips to the nearby Bagni. While the hotel is remote, Siena is only 30 minutes away and famous Tuscan wine towns like Montalcino and Montepulciano are a short drive away. In fact we managed to take a drive through Chianti and back to the hotel within a day. So in brief, our Tuscan villa experience was far more than we had imagined. Our only regret is that we didn't save it for last! We took off for Cinque Terre and Florence afterwards and missed the peace and beauty of our time at Villa Armena. We plan to send rave reviews back to our travel agent and hope to come back some day. Well done, Eduoardo and Elena! We wish you the best in growing your business!

Stayed September 2012, traveled as a couple

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Ask KatieMColorado about Villa Armena Relais

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In a business trip there is no better end than to end up in this corner of Tuscany and find yourself once again: while getting a good rest or a good glass of wine.Sun rise, sunset and the peacefull surronding is part of the deal!

Stayed September 2012, traveled on business

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Ask Marco R about Villa Armena Relais

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Eduardo, Elena and Laura have gone to great length to put together a first class team and package and offer it at a reasonable price. They have clearly never been hoteliers before as the quality of their inputs in ingredients, capital expenditure on fittings and furniture, are highly unusual for those inclined on making high margins. Make sure you go to experience their enthusiasm before it wanes, or before the masses catch onto this gem.

Stars of the show 1. chefs that put together amazing meals. Former michelin starred chaps who use the locality's freshest ingredients and grow their own herbs. 2. Personal service. Nothing is ever any trouble. We ate in the restaurant for multiple evenings and ran out of items on the menu. The chefs flew in fresh seafood and came up with something else completely off piste. Amazing. We enjoyed the stories of the team's 3 year journey pre open from a shell to the magnificent villa that it is today. The team packed a picnic as we departed (please do not expect this!). Too many little points that touched us and set this place apart from any other hotel.3. Wine recommendations. I know a little to be dangerous about french wines, but nothing about Italian wines. Laura introduced us to wines that we had never heard of. a great intro into great italian drinking. Just make sure you check the version of Biondi Santi served before downing your 4th glass.

Finally I would note that if you are intending to arrive in a low slung sports car, it is in the country side and their driveway is a mile or two of spectacular scenery accessed by dirt road. Best to call ahead and they will pick you up at the point in the driveway where asphalt becomes dirt. I would also note that it would be impossible for anyone in their right mind to give a negative review to this team. People who do so, clearly have an agenda. Even more amusing are Eduardo's description of such guests: ("This american bozo put his brunello in ice water... and claimed to be a wine expert" hahahaha).

Stayed June 2012, traveled as a couple

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Ask CSShow about Villa Armena Relais

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Located in the romantic heart of Tuscany, only 20 minutes from Siena, only a stone’s throw from Montalcino and Val d’Orcia, in a fairytale world exuding magic and beauty, Villa Armena is a late Renaissance structure. Built of red brick, with original oak beams and roof, and having terracotta floors and a beautiful Italianate garden, Villa Armena today is an exclusive establishment with just 10 rooms, each one unique, where service, attention to detail and exclusivity are the cornerstones of our offering....more less

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Villa Armena Relais Buonconvento, Italy - Tuscany

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